ELECTRICAL LOGGING SYSTEM

Abstract: An electrical logging system for determining the electrical resistivity of a subsurface formation from a cased borehole comprises voltage and current supply means, voltage and current control means, electrode support means, and voltage and current processing means. In particular the system comprises a first pair of current electrodes (A, B), adapted to be electrically connected at different heights to the casing within said borehole nearby one of the ends of the borehole for supplying an electrical current to said casing and providing a casing current between said electrodes through the intermediate casing part thus defined, and a second pair of voltage electrodes (M, N), for detecting voltages provided by leakage currents leaking form the casing into the formation. Said second pair of electrodes is adapted to be arranged above or below said first pair of electrodes between said intermediate casing part and the other end of the borehole.

Description: ELECTRICAL LOGGING SYSTEM This invention relates to an electrical logging system. In particular this invention relates to an electrical logging system for determining the electrical resistivity of a subsurface formation through a cased borehole. Conventionally such a system comprises voltage and current supply means, voltage and current control means, electrode support means, and voltage and current processing means for processing currents and voltages thereby determining said electrical resistivity. It is well known to apply the above system to carry out measurements in a logging procedure in order to determine electrical resistivity of the formation through the casing of a borehole. Generally metal casings are applied, in particular those made of steel. Borehole depths may be up to several thousands of metres. For example such a formation has a structure of oil bearing layers having a resistivity quite different from the surrounding layers. More in particular the case of subsequent water- and oil-bearing layers occurs. Depending on the hydrocarbon saturation such layers typically have resistivities in the range of 1 to 1000 Ωm. Especially in situations of already existing boreholes having been cased, for example to update subsurface formation characteristics or to monitor production operating progress, it is of great interest to have reliable data. As shown in US 2,729,784, in the past attempts have been made to measure currents leaking from cased drill holes into the subsurface formation. Two axially spaced current electrode pairs housed in one and the same logging device were connected to the casing resulting in casing currents between the electrodes of each pair when energized. The electrical circuitry was chosen such that the two neighbour electrodes of said two pairs had the same electrical potential thus defining a casing part therebetween functioning as a quasi separate electrode from which currents leaked into the formation. By providing three additional electrodes in the casing part between said two pairs of electrodes both a symmetrical electrical potential distribution is set and voltage measuring is accomplished allowing the determination of the electrical resistivity of the subsurface formation. However, it is well known that electrical measurements on casings are far from ideal because of roughnesses of the casing, for example caused by differences in casing thickness and corrosion spots. Thus casing resistances are affected substantially. In the above logging method such disadvantageous effects are combined with electrical measuring and control on small leakage currents starting from the above-mentioned short casing part between the electrode pairs. In view of the above this means that only very small voltages can be measured whereas the reliability of such measurements has to be considered very low. Consequently large deviations in the subsurface formation resistivity should be expected. From recent literature it is known to handle the above- mentioned situations and cases in a different way. For example US 5,043,668 discloses a method and apparatus for determining the above said resistivity through the casing of a borehole. In particular three current electrodes and three voltage electrodes are employed, five electrodes being electrically connected to the casing at different heights, measured in axial direction of the borehole, and one current electrode being arranged at a substantial distance therefrom within the earth's surface. By means of this set-up both calibration measurements and resistivity determinations are carried out. In the calibration measurement mode a casing current between the two current electrodes connected to the casing induces two voltage indications between the three voltage electrodes which are connected to the casing and are arranged between said two current electrodes. Said indications reflect the casing resistances between said voltage electrodes. Again casing resistances are affected as explained above. Therefore said two voltages are supplied to electronic circuitry in order to control and to balance the respective proportional voltage indications. In the resistivity determination mode the same voltage electrodes are used. However, now an electrical current is induced into the casing and into the formation from the upper current electrode which forms an electrical circuit with the current electrode arranged within the earth's surface. Clearly in this mode leakage currents, leaking into the formation, occur. Consequently in this mode the voltage indications as detected by the abovementioned three voltage electrodes are more or less modified. Typically in this mode mainly casing currents, which are many orders larger than the leakage currents because of the corresponding difference between casing resistivity and formation resistivity, are inducing said proportional voltages. Notwithstanding the above the differences between the voltages obtained from the above explained two modes of operation, although being very small, reflect said leakage currents. As a result thereof formation resistivity can be determined. Also for this set up it will be clear to those skilled in the art that only slight variations as to said differences, for example caused by corrosion spots, electrical perturbation, mechanical damage, or circuitry tuning, will result in substantial casing current errors. Consequently obtaining reliable leakage current determinations is very difficult. Thus it is a main object of the present invention to detect leakage currents more accurately. It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate the contribution of the casing currents in the leakage current detection as much as possible. Therefore in accordance with the invention the above system further comprises a first pair of current electrodes, A, B, connected with said supply means and said control means, adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole at different heights in axial direction of said borehole, and, when connected, defining an intermediate casing part, for supplying an electrical current to said casing and providing a casing current through said casing' part between said electrodes, and positioned nearby one of the ends of the borehole, and a second pair of voltage electrodes, M, N, for detecting voltages provided by leakage currents leaking from the casing into the formation, said second pair of electrodes being adapted to be arranged in axial direction of the borehole above or below said first pair of current electrodes between said intermediate casing part and the other end of the borehole. In a further embodiment of the present invention at least one electrode of the second pair of electrodes is adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole. Furthermore, if both electrodes of said second pair are electrically connected to said casing, one electrode of said second pair of electrodes, M, is arranged in axial direction of the borehole adjacent to said first pair of electrodes and the other at a substantial distance away from said one electrode. In particular said other electrode, N, is arranged down below in the borehole nearby the casing shoe, or said other electrode, N, is arranged at the top of the borehole nearby the earth's surface. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention said second pair of electrodes is adapted to be located at the earth's surface. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least a third voltage electrode, adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole as a calibration electrode, R, is arranged adjacent to said first pair and at the other side of said first pair of electrodes compared to said second pair electrodes. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one additional voltage electrode is arranged, located substantially between said second pair of voltage electrodes. By using the electrical logging system of the present invention every current travelling through the casing outside said intermediate casing part is only originating from leakage currents which start predominantly from the casing outside said intermediate casing part from the casing part at one side of said intermediate casing part, leak into the formation and return through the casing at the other side of said intermediate casing part. Thus the voltage electrodes of the second pair only detect leakage currents either in the formation or through the casing, dependant on the location of said second pair voltage electrodes. Advantageously casing currents are fully eliminated when detecting such leakage currents, thus allowing accurate determination of formation resistivities. The present invention will be described in detail hereinafter, thereby referring to the figures, wherein figure la schematically shows a preferred arrangement of electrodes of the electrical logging system of the present invention, wherein figure lb presents voltage curves provided by the logging system of figure la, wherein figure 2 schematically shows the relation between voltages measured and the casing lengths over which leakage currents are starting from, and entering into a homogeneous formation, wherein figure 3 schematically shows the relation as shown in figure 2, now for a layered formation, and wherein figures 4a, 4b, 4c, represent configurations for arranging the electrodes in accordance with the invention. For explaining the principles of the present invention there is referred to figures la and lb. Figure la schematically shows a borehole 1 which is drilled into subsurface formation 2. The borehole has been cased with casing 3, by way of example extending from the earth's surface 4 to the bottom 5 of the borehole 1. The lower end of the casing has been fastened into the formation by means of a casing shoe 6. In order to mark positions within the borehole both depth values as measured from the earth's surface and height values as measured from the borehole bottom are used, both being measured in the axial direction of the borehole. Thus, if the borehole is drilled not strictly vertically depth- and height-values have to be read as length-values along the axis of the borehole. As usual the casing is made of a metal, for example steel. Any other material may be applied provided that the casing is electrically conducting which is required for the- system and method of the present invention. For determining electrical formation resistivity mostly a well log is accomplished from uncased boreholes whereas the borehole is only cased after exploration and logging procedures and before starting production operations. As explained hereinabove also after having been cased the borehole it may be desirable or even necessary to determine the electrical resistivity, for example for monitoring the electrical characteristics of the formation from which hydrocarbons are recovered. This means that electrical measurements have to be carried out through the metal casing, the highly electrically conducting casing being embedded in a highly electrically resistive formation, thus giving electrical currents substantially only through said casing. According to the present invention by employing a first pair of current electrodes A, B a casing current I is flowing only between c A and B. Typically low frequency currents are provided by means of a current source 9. Advantageously frequencies up to 20 Hz and current amplitudes up to 40 A are employed. In order to simplify further explanations current electrode B is chosen as the electrode having the higher electrical potential. Consequently casing current I is flowing from B to A, whereas c leakage currents I are starting predominantly from the B side 1 casing part, are subsequently flowing through the subsurface formation and will return through the casing at the A side casing part. It may be clear that this situation is fully symmetrical with the case of reversed potentials of A and B. Furthermore it is noted that, although conventionally an AC set-up is arranged, for the frequencies mentioned-above DC data processing is allowed. As can be seen in figure la said first pair is arranged near the bottom 5, thereby obtaining at the side of B an end part 7 of the casing 3 which is relatively short. Typically the length of said end part 7 is chosen such that the electrical potential over said part is substantially equal to the potential of the adjacent current electrode. Conventionally at the side of A at the other side of said first pair of electrodes the potential of the other casing part 8 is substantially equal to the electrical potential at infinity which is mostly defined as zero potential as shown in figure lb. Thus, clearly a voltage is created between casing parts 7 and 8. Consequently the very large part of leakage currents I will flow between said two casing parts 7 and 8 thereby passing the subsurface formation 2. As set forth above said end part 7 has the higher electrical potential and therefore I flows from part 7 to part 8 as indicated by the arrows in the current flow lines 10. Furthermore, by having a relatively short end part 7 both starting position for said I is well defined and sensitivity in resistivity 1 variations dependent on possible presence of layered formations on said end part location is obtained. This means that if the length of said end part 7 is varied changes in resistivity are monitored. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the same explanation can be given for the symmetrical arrangement with said first pair at the upper end of the borehole nearby the earth's surface. Further to the above explanation only giving conditions and details on starting of leakage current I said currents have to be 1 detected in order to arrive at data allowing determination of the formation resistivity. Therefore in accordance with the present invention leakage currents are detected at the other side of the first pair A, B. As can be seen in figure la a second pair of voltage electrodes M, N is arranged within and connected to the other casing part 8. Thus I is detected when returning to and 1 flowing through said casing part 8. Generally the second pair of voltage electrodes has to be arranged such that the spacing between the voltage electrodes bridges a difference in electrical potential. In the present case of having a cased borehole and the first pair of current electrodes with the very large part of leakage currents starting in axial direction from beneath the second pair, then the voltage electrodes have to be arranged in the return flow of said currents. Especially on locations where said currents are most diverging the arrangement of electrodes is most preferred. Thus large spacings between M and N, for example when arranged upon the casing, are preferred. Further to the arrangement of figure la as to figures 4b and 4c different arrangements will be explained hereinafter. In order to detect I in an accurate way a large spacing is 1 chosen between M, N thereby detecting the very large part of I . 1 Moreover, over such large spacings the combination of low casing resistivity and low I -values results in voltages which are very 1 well detectable. From the above it will be clear that a number of advantages is obtained. First of all casing currents and leakage currents are separated in a clear way. Consequently said leakage currents are detected fully separately. Moreover, large spacings between the voltage electrodes allow advantageous detection of said leakage currents. In the following determination of the formation resistivity is explained shortly. In accordance with Ohm's Law resistivities can be determined only when having both current- and voltage-values. In the present invention it is assumed that casing resistivity has a known value, for example by specification or by having been determined previously to the logging operation of the present invention. Thus, the voltages measured by means of the second pair of electrodes are converted to leakage current values. At the other side casing currents are converted to voltage values being equal to the difference in electrical potential between the casing parts 7 and 8. Consequently formation resistivities are determined from combining the above said leakage current values and voltage values obtained by conversion. As to the determination of casing resistivity a further explanation is given hereinafter. In view of the above addressed variations in casing resistivities a further embodiment of the present invention comprises connection of an additional voltage electrode, a calibration electrode R, employed for monitoring said varying casing resistivity and thereby consequently calibrating the measurements carried out during a logging procedure. As can be seen in figure la said electrode R can be combined with one of the voltage electrodes M, N, where R and for example M are positioned at predetermined positions at different sides of the casing part between the first pair A, B. For example R and M can be positioned symmetrically with respect to the A, B-pair in order to simplify calibration procedures. As addressed hereinbefore the length of end part 7 can be varied in order to trace layer structures in the following way. In case of a homogeneous subsurface formation 2 the I -current 1 flow pattern which will occur is shown in figure la. This means that the density of flow lines is most concentrated at said end part. Furthermore the pattern at said end part is clearly determined by the formation resistivity at that location. Thus by applying the method and system of the present invention formation resistivities are monitored at the starting position of the leakage currents I . 1 When varying the lengths over relatively short distances, for example by starting with logging having the first pair of electrodes nearby the bottom of the borehole and subsequently lifting said pair, although the height becomes larger, the density of flow lines will be modified only very slightly. This means that over such a larger end part I is increasing substantially linearly and thus a 1 greater leakage current I is starting from said end part. 1 Consequently for this homogeneous formation correspondingly greater voltages are measured by means of the second pair of electrodes M, N. The above explained relations for such a logging procedure are presented schematically in figure 2. In this figure z schematically represents the height of end part 7 of the casing between a predefined position with respect to the first pair of electrodes and the bottom of the borehole. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that for relatively larger end parts resulting from lifting over correspondingly large distances modified relations have to be derived because of different behaviour of starting of leakage currents. In the next figure 3 the case is represented when during logging as sketched above said first pair of electrodes is passing a layer having a resistivity larger than the resistivity when starting the logging procedure. As soon as during lifting said layer is arrived the leakage current will only slightly increase if any. After the layer has been passed a further increase is presented in said figure. From the above it may be clear that layered structures can be traced, whereas accurate modelling and processing of the data obtained during logging will allow determination of layer thicknesses and resistivity-values. Referring now to figures 4a, b, and c further embodiments of the present invention are shown. In figure 4a only relevant details are numbered and indicated which are the same as those used in figure la. As to figures 4b and 4c especially the electrodes are indicated thereby emphasizing the differences between these figures . In detail in the electrode arrangement of figure 4a the electrodes A, B, M and R, are housed in one and the same tool 20. By using such a tool logging can be carried out in a simple and economic way which is very well known. The other voltage electrode of the second pair is now indicated with N . Further electrical a circuitry, for example voltage and current control means and voltage current processing means, is numbered 21. In the arrangement of figure 4b the other voltage electrode N b is now arranged at the earth's surface. This set-up will further simplify preparations and operation of the logging procedure. Although in this set-up the very large part of I will be picked-up between M and N some additional modelling may be necessary, b In figure 4c the electrode arrangement has been further modified. Now both voltage electrodes M , N , are arranged at the c c earth's surface, M being connected to the casing. In order to c accomplish calibration measurements as explained before. Tool 20 now houses two calibration electrodes R , R , functioning as voltage 1 2 electrodes in the same way as shown in figures 1, 4a and 4b, with respect to the voltage electrodes M and R. In correspondence with the modified electrode arrangement electrical circuitry 22 is adapted. The present M , N electrode-arrangement necessitates c c further modelling as to processing of the data obtained when logging by means of the logging system of this figure 4c. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one additional voltage electrode is arranged at a location substantially between those of the second pair for picking up perturbation currents. As well known to those skilled in the art currents caused by natural conditions or human employments are passing continuously the subsurface formation. For example thunderstorms and related electrical discharges and train traffic phenomena have appeared to give stray currents to an appreciable amount. These currents, although small, often form large perturbations with regard to the leakage currents originating from the above first pair of electrodes of the present invention. In particular in the cases of figures 4a and 4b as shown above the arrangement of at least one additional voltage electrode adapted to be electrically connected to the casing allows an accurate determination of the above perturbation currents passing the casing lengths located between the voltage electrodes. Consequently, when leakage currents are measured, leakage current measurements can be corrected for said perturbation currents. Further to the explanations in the foregoing some details on specifications with regard to geometry, spacings and distances as applied in the system of the present invention are set forth. In order to have a balance between current amplitude of casing current and of leakage currents the ratio of spacing between current electrodes A and B, d , and of casing diameter d is chosen AB c advantageously between 3 and 15. However, in case of very thin layers ratio-values well below 3 should be applied, whereas in case of measuring resistivity at large distances from the cased borehole ratio values well above 15 may be advantageous. Referring to figures 2 and 3 heights z of end part 7 should not exceed 300 m. In case of larger heights density of current flow lines is lowered such that only a small increase of leakage currents I will occur. As to spacings between voltage electrodes M and N 1 relatively large distances are preferred. Distances greater than 100 m have appeared to be advantageous. However, it may be clear to those skilled in the art that said distances are strongly dependant on the combination of casing conductivity, formation resistivity, and leakage current amplitude. Thus distances outside the above- mentioned ranges may be preferred. Various modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. An electrical logging system for determining the electrical resistivity of a subsurface formation through a cased borehole, the system comprising, voltage and current supply means, - voltage and current control means, and electrode support means, the system further comprising, a first pair of current electrodes, A, B, connected with said supply means and said control means, adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole at different heights in axial direction of said borehole, and, when connected, defining an intermediate casing part, for supplying an electrical current to said casing and providing a casing current through said casing part between said electrodes, and positioned nearby one of the ends of the borehole, a second pair of voltage electrodes, M, N, for detecting voltages provided by leakage currents leaking from the casing into the formation, said second pair of electrodes being adapted to be arranged in axial direction of the borehole above or below said first pair of current electrodes between said intermediate casing part and the other end of the borehole, and voltage and current processing means for processing said currents and voltages thereby determining said electrical resistivity. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one electrode of the second pair of electrodes is adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole. 3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein, if both electrodes of said second pair are electrically connected to said casing, one electrode of said second pair of electrodes, M, is arranged in axial direction of the borehole adjacent to said first pair of electrodes and the other at a substantial distance away from said one electrode. 4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said other electrode, N, is arranged down below in the borehole nearby the casing shoe. 5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said other electrode, N, is arranged at the top of the borehole nearby the earth's surface. 6. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said second pair of electrodes is adapted to be located at the earth's surface. 7. The system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a third voltage electrode, adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole as a calibration electrode, R, is arranged adjacent to said first pair and at the other side of said first pair of electrodes compared to said second pair of electrodes. 8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein voltage electrodes M and R are arranged symmetrically with regard to the first pair of current electrodes, A, B. 9. The system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one additional voltage electrode is arranged, located substantially between said second pair voltage electrodes. 10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said additional voltage electrode is adapted to be electrically connected to the casing within said borehole. 11. The system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the ratio of the distance between the current electrodes, d, measured in the borehole direction, and the casing diameter d c , ranges from 3 to 15. 12. The system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the casing current provided is an AC current, having a frequency up to 20 Hz and an amplitude up to 40 A.

Inventors: KOELMAN JOHANNES MARIA VIANNEY, KOELMAN, JOHANNES, MARIA, VIANNEY, ANTONIUS
Applicants: SHELL CANADA LTD, SHELL INT RESEARCH, SHELL CANADA LIMITED, SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G01V3
IPC codes: E21B47, G01N27, G01V3